Wislodgers
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Apr 29, 2001
- Messages
- 442
We were at the VWL from 1/22-1/30 in a 2 bedroom. We had lots of family with also, we topped out at 21 people!(no not all in our 2 bedroom!)
We arrived late in the evening in Wed. the 21st. We got a room at Pop Century with an AP rate, only $54 with tax! It was a very fun, cute resort. We enjoyed it and would stay there again, but nothing compares to the VWL!!! It was perfect for a good nights sleep and a shower after having been on the road for 26 hours!
We checked in the next morning around 10:00 and the CM said our room was not ready. I asked if there were any 2br available, she said no and our room would be worth the wait. Well, we were just heading over to MK for the day anyway so we left our luggage and took the boat to the park. I called about 1:00 and our room was ready. We couldn't believe when we got to our room. We were in room 2519, the corner room overlooking the pool. We had the same room 2 years ago, what are the chances! We had even talked about requesting it again, but figured why bother as getting a certain room number must be close to impossible.
My Brother's family and my cousin's family were sharing a lock-off 2br down the hall. When they saw our room they laughed and said it looked like the Presidential Suite! I do not know if it is the corner room layout, but it seems much roomier!
We also had family in a studio and some over at the main lodge.
As a whole the trip was one of our best. Driving weather both ways was great and our weather at Disney was fabulous. It only rained one night and quit by mid morning the next day. We did parks each day and a lot of swimming in the afternoons and evenings.
The only minor complaint I could even make was we decided last minute to try to get ressies over at O'Hana's for dinner. We had a total head count of 17-21. One family was not sure if they could make it. I went to the front desk and the CM was very nice, but said for groups over 12(I think) she could not make ressies, we would have to go through group dining. She called group dining and handed me the phone. I spoke with the rudest CM I have ever encountered. She said that we would have to guarantee with a credit card and for anyone that did not show it would be a $10 charge. I explained that not everyone knew that they could definitely make it, but we were sure 17 would be there, but possibly 21 if everyone showed. She told me that I should have got a positive head count before I even called! She said she could not help me, and hung up! I stood there dumbfounded and the CM at the front desk asked what happened. I went throught the whole scenerio, as she heard my side as I was on the phone, she apologized. Within 2 minutes the WL CM had made me 2 seperate ressies, one for a group of 10 and one for a group of 11. She explained we may not be seated together, but we did not care as who can visit with a group of 21 while eating! My DH and I were not impressed with how group dining handled it, and with all of the "Magical Gatherings" around, it seems they need to be able to cater a little better to large groups.(We did not register for MG as we did not think we would use any of the services)
We had a fabulous dinner and 18 showed! We were seated at one looong table. It was my Dad's B-day so eveyone in the restaurant sang to him!
The only other "group" activity we did was a private wagon ride over at Fort Wilderness. The driver gave us a tour of the campround and down by the lake. The ride was almost an hour long. Very enjoyable!
I am typing this looking out at our woods all covered in snow(and it is snowing more!). I keep thinking about the lodge and swimming and Mickey Ice cream bars!
It was a fabulous trip and everyone wants to go next year! Too much fun!!! Take care and happy traveling!
We arrived late in the evening in Wed. the 21st. We got a room at Pop Century with an AP rate, only $54 with tax! It was a very fun, cute resort. We enjoyed it and would stay there again, but nothing compares to the VWL!!! It was perfect for a good nights sleep and a shower after having been on the road for 26 hours!
We checked in the next morning around 10:00 and the CM said our room was not ready. I asked if there were any 2br available, she said no and our room would be worth the wait. Well, we were just heading over to MK for the day anyway so we left our luggage and took the boat to the park. I called about 1:00 and our room was ready. We couldn't believe when we got to our room. We were in room 2519, the corner room overlooking the pool. We had the same room 2 years ago, what are the chances! We had even talked about requesting it again, but figured why bother as getting a certain room number must be close to impossible.
My Brother's family and my cousin's family were sharing a lock-off 2br down the hall. When they saw our room they laughed and said it looked like the Presidential Suite! I do not know if it is the corner room layout, but it seems much roomier!
We also had family in a studio and some over at the main lodge.
As a whole the trip was one of our best. Driving weather both ways was great and our weather at Disney was fabulous. It only rained one night and quit by mid morning the next day. We did parks each day and a lot of swimming in the afternoons and evenings.
The only minor complaint I could even make was we decided last minute to try to get ressies over at O'Hana's for dinner. We had a total head count of 17-21. One family was not sure if they could make it. I went to the front desk and the CM was very nice, but said for groups over 12(I think) she could not make ressies, we would have to go through group dining. She called group dining and handed me the phone. I spoke with the rudest CM I have ever encountered. She said that we would have to guarantee with a credit card and for anyone that did not show it would be a $10 charge. I explained that not everyone knew that they could definitely make it, but we were sure 17 would be there, but possibly 21 if everyone showed. She told me that I should have got a positive head count before I even called! She said she could not help me, and hung up! I stood there dumbfounded and the CM at the front desk asked what happened. I went throught the whole scenerio, as she heard my side as I was on the phone, she apologized. Within 2 minutes the WL CM had made me 2 seperate ressies, one for a group of 10 and one for a group of 11. She explained we may not be seated together, but we did not care as who can visit with a group of 21 while eating! My DH and I were not impressed with how group dining handled it, and with all of the "Magical Gatherings" around, it seems they need to be able to cater a little better to large groups.(We did not register for MG as we did not think we would use any of the services)
We had a fabulous dinner and 18 showed! We were seated at one looong table. It was my Dad's B-day so eveyone in the restaurant sang to him!
The only other "group" activity we did was a private wagon ride over at Fort Wilderness. The driver gave us a tour of the campround and down by the lake. The ride was almost an hour long. Very enjoyable!
I am typing this looking out at our woods all covered in snow(and it is snowing more!). I keep thinking about the lodge and swimming and Mickey Ice cream bars!
It was a fabulous trip and everyone wants to go next year! Too much fun!!! Take care and happy traveling!
) Anyway, when we got to The Spirit of Aloha we simply requested that we be seated together. They were very nice and said they would try. They did seat us together and we had a great time. 
